Endrick, Bellingham start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Real Madrid can line up against Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be hoping to take a step towards securing their spot in the finals of the 2024/25 Copa del Rey when they face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the semi-final later tonight.

The Merengues have not won away at the Basque club in a cup tie in over six decades and that is something that Carlo Ancelotti & co. will be looking to set right.

But doing so will not be easy as Imanol Alguacil’s side are a team not to be taken lightly while Real Madrid also go into the game without some important players as well.

Indeed, Ancelotti has opted to rest key players like Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde, and Thibaut Courtois for the game while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao miss out through injuries.

But, the Spanish champions can count on Jude Bellingham who is available again after missing the weekend clash against Girona through suspension.

With the game set to kick off in seven hours, here’s how Ancelotti could set his Real Madrid side up against La Real.

Defence

With no Thibaut Courtois in the squad, Andriy Lunin, the designated goalkeeper for the cup competition, will start for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad tonight at Anoeta.

There will be a couple of alterations in the defensive unit as Antonio Rudiger is likely to return after being replaced by David Alaba in the lineup against Girona at the weekend. The German international will pair up with Raul Asencio at the heart of the Real Madrid backline.

Fran Garcia is expected to step into the team as well, replacing Ferland Mendy on the left side, where he will have a challenge against ex-Real Madrid starlet Takefusa Kubo. Lucas Vazquez ought to continue at right-back.

Midfield

Set to return to the lineup. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Luka Modric made a big difference for Real Madrid against Girona but the club captain is unlikely to start two games in a row.

Dani Ceballos, who is going through his best run at the club, should replace the veteran midfielder tonight. The Spaniard is expected to sit alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in the double pivot for the Merengues.

Jude Bellingham, back from suspension, should return to the side, slotting in as the attacking midfielder, from where he will look to make decisive contributions in the final third.

Attack

With no Kylian Mbappe in the squad, it opens the door for Endrick to get a rare opportunity to start for Real Madrid as the No. 9. The Brazilian teenager has not featured much in recent weeks but will hope to make the most of his chance should he get one tonight.

Given the importance of the match, it is unlikely that Ancelotti will take any more risks and thus retain the Brazilian attacking duo of Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Jr. in the lineup.

Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, especially, will hope to get some minutes off the bench. Gonzalo Garcia, who scored the stoppage-time match-winner against Leganes in Copa del Rey earlier this month, will also be an option for the manager.